Education Solutions Provider School Specialty Becomes Principal for a Day at Knoxville, Tenn. School

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Program allows partners to shadow customers and see their challenges first-hand.

“This experience brought what I do down to a much more personal level because I could see the impact on the students of having the right tools and materials in their learning environment,” – Tim Hemans, School Specialty education solutions manager

GREENVILLE, Wis. (PRWEB)May 09, 2013

With classrooms and instruction evolving faster than ever, School Specialty, Inc. (OTCQB:SCHSQ), a leading K-12 education company with the broadest array of products in the education market, announces its participation in the “Principal for a Day” program. The program, which is presented by Knox County Schools, brought together 88 business, government and community leaders who spread across the county’s schools to shadow principals and learn first-hand the challenges and opportunities facing public education today.

Tim Hemans, School Specialty education solutions manager for Georgia and Tennessee, recently stepped into the role of Principal for a Day at Cedar Bluff Elementary in Knoxville, Tenn. Hemans went back to class to better understand the day-to-day activities of School Specialty customers – insights that will help inform product developments that make educators’ lives easier and improve student outcomes.

“It was an incredible opportunity to walk the halls with Cedar Bluff Principal Susan Davis,” said Hemans. “She was getting hugs left and right from the kids as they came into school, and she commented that for some students, that may be the only hug they get in the day.”

Hemans attended a professional learning community meeting where fifth grade teachers planned reading and writing assignments, discussed best practices in the classroom and shared resources. Hemans also had the opportunity to read a story to a first grade class, observe a number of other classes and participate in the morning taping of the school’s video announcements.

“This experience brought what I do down to a much more personal level because I could see the impact on the students of having the right tools and materials in their learning environment,” said Hemans, who works at the administrative or district level to develop relationships and help districts with decision making by offering solutions to their specific needs.

Cedar Bluff Elementary is the largest elementary school in Knox County with more than 1,300 K-5 students.

About School Specialty, Inc.
School Specialty is a leading education company that provides innovative and proprietary products, programs and services to help educators engage and inspire students of all ages and abilities to learn. The company designs, develops, and provides preK-12 educators with the latest and very best curriculum, supplemental learning resources, and school supplies. Working in collaboration with educators, School Specialty reaches beyond the scope of textbooks to help teachers, guidance counselors and school administrators ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential. For more information, visit http://www.schoolspecialty.com.